MS Bar Foundation/IOLTA

The Mississippi Bar Foundation, Inc. was organized in 1963. Since then the Foundation's members have come to represent the highest level of professionalism and competence for a Mississippi lawyer. Over the years, through its Fellows program the Foundation has recognized outstanding members of the Bar. Since 1984, the Foundation has administered the Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts Program. Since its inception IOLTA grants in excess of $12 million have been awarded. In 1987 the Bar Foundation dedicated the Mississippi Bar Center. Not only is it a visible symbol of the legal profession, it is a functional facility serving the Bar and Mississippi lawyers. It is used regularly by Bar members for depositions, mediations, arbitrations and client conferences. It also houses the staffs of the Foundation and the Bar. The Foundation has also provided financial assistance for many law related programs and projects, provided scholarship assistance and support to both of Mississippi's Law Schools and has financially supported law-related public education programs, such as the statewide high school mock trial competition, to improve public understanding of the legal system.